Local chapter of Military Order of the Purple Heart seeks donations for wreaths
The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, in conjunction with the Wreaths Across America organization, is working to see that each of the 8,500 graves at Fort Jackson National Cemetery receive a wreath this Christmas. The chapter will be collecting donations until Dec. 1. Wreaths cost $15 each. Anyone wishing to support this worthy cause can send a check made payable to "Wreaths Across America" to MOPH Chapter 817, P.O. Box 3381, Sumter, SC 29151. Call Harry Thompson, chapter commander, at (803) 983-3770 for more information.
Sumter School District's REACH Program for artistically gifted and talented students is offering students in grades 3-11 opportunities to develop and enhance their talents in the areas of visual arts, theater and choral music. The program will hold three Saturday workshops in March, April and May 2021 and a three-week intensive workshop in June. Students must be screened and meet criteria before qualifying for participation. Students meeting qualifications within the past two years do not need to be referred or screened unless interested in participating in a different arts area than originally qualified for. Current qualified students do, however, need to complete the intent form emailed to them if they plan on returning to the program this year. Digital Request for Screening/Referral Forms can be accessed at www.sumterschools.net and will be accepted through Nov. 20. Upon receipt of students' Request for Screening/Referral Forms, information will be sent to students regarding the initial screening process and procedures. Deadline for initial screenings to be submitted for review is Dec. 22. Contact Heather Clemmons at (803) 774-5500, extension 122, or heather.clemmons@sumterschools.net.
Marine Corps League 1202 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the VFW, 1925 Gion St. All present and former Marines are welcome. Call (803) 972-4555.
American Legion Post 15 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month (except the month of September when they meet on the second Monday) at 34 S. Artillery Drive. All veterans, past and present, are welcome. Call (803) 968-5115.
The Civil Air Patrol Sumter Composite Squadron meets from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday at 2945 Airport Road. There are cadet programs, aerospace education programs and emergency services programs. Call Lt. Col. George Stanley at (803) 847-7640. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for information.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 12-1 meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Summerton Fire Station, North Cantey Street, Summerton. Membership is open to any U.S. citizen age 17 or older. Previous service in the Coast Guard is not required. The auxiliary's main objective is to promote safe recreational boating on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie by offering safe boating classes, courtesy vessel checks for required safety equipment and patrolling the lakes offering assistance to anyone in need. The auxiliary also stands ready to assist the USCG with their mission along with search and rescue. We encourage anyone interested in participating in our mission to attend a meeting and learn more about the auxiliary.
Temple Sinai Jewish History Center is seeking docents. Docents must be 18 years of age or older and willing to attend educational training prior to starting. This is a volunteer position and you will be asked to commit a few hours a week (Thursday or Friday afternoon or Saturday morning) for a minimum of three months. The museum will work with students who want to arrange class credit through their college. The Center covers South Carolina and Sumter Jewish history, the Holocaust and Sumter's ties to the Holocaust. Docents must be friendly and comfortable engaging with both children and adults. Contact Diana Roof at (803) 468-8630 or at temple@sumtercountymuseum.org or Annie Rivers at (803) 775-0908 or at arivers@sumtercountymuseum.org.
Lake Marion VFW Post 11078, Summerton, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1 Duke St., Summerton, behind First Citizens Bank. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. All VFW members are encouraged to attend. Call Carl A. Farley at (803) 460-8910.
The Bishopville / Manning / Shaw Air Force Base Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. meets at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the South Sumter Combat Veterans Group headquarters building, 529 N. Wise Drive. Call James Munford at (803) 795-2903 or Kenneth Benjamin at (803) 773-8514.
Connected Warriors Inc. offers evidenced based trauma-conscious therapeutic yoga to service members, veterans and their families at no cost to participants at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays on Shaw Air Force Base for those who have access to the base and at 5 p.m. on Fridays at Southern Bliss Yoga, 600 Bultman Drive, number 4. Call Melissa at (803) 468-1658, email southernblissyoga@yahoo.com or visit www.connectedwarriors.org for details.
The Purple Heart Chapter of Sumter is sponsoring a project to have all Purple Heart medal recipients inducted into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor located in New York. An enrollment application must be completed by the medal recipient or next of kin if the veteran is deceased. Proof of the award of the medal is required and, if possible, a photograph of the recipient. Call Willie Washington at (720) 203-2112 for details and assistance.
The Single Parent Institute meets from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Birnie HOPE Center. Meetings are open to teenage single parents, custodial and non-custodial single parents. You are welcome to bring your children as the Single Parent Institute is for the entire family. Contact Dr. L. Quaneck Walkes at (803) 223-9408 or lqwalkes@sctechthisout.com.